Lecture & Reception with John Kao

CB: How has our cultural landscape changed in the last decade, and why are creativity and innovation more important than ever?

JK: Two thoughts come to mind.

We live in a time of disruption. Traditional roadmaps no longer serve as reliable guides to a positive future. Creative thinking becomes a signature skill to create new maps, imagine alternative futures, and intuit new possibilities. Innovation ability leads to effective implementation.

In a time of division, the ability to integrate among contradictory positions becomes essential. And this involves creative thinking, which at its core is about the ability to bridge across apparently contradictory thoughts to create a new synthesis.

Can you share an example of an intentional practice for artists that could benefit their creative process and output?

JK: Artistic creativity flourishes when the proper context is created to support it. Of course, determining what is “proper” is highly personal. The “right” solution could be finding a preferred studio environment, or the best cafe, or a train ride on the Orient Express. These examples all generate a liminal or in between state that can inspire original thinking.

How do you define “community,” and is being part of a creative or artistic community important for innovation?

JK: While the archetype of the solo artist has not gone out of style, it is well known that creative work thrives in movements. Musician Brian Eno differentiates between genius and a “scenius,” or collective “scene.” Examples include the Renaissance in Florence, abstract expressionism in New York during the late 1950’s and the London punk rock “scene” of the 1970’s. All are examples of the power of community to support and inspire creative work.

What do you say to someone who believes they are not creative?

JK: I believe that everyone is creative. It is an essential part of being human; we can’t help ourselves. The real question is whether you know how to manage your own creativity as well as enhance the creativity of others. And finally, whether your creative ability leads to something that is not only new, but useful.